WHITNEY GENTRY – ROCKWALL TX

She loves soccer which she started at an early age and likes running so the combination of the two led Whitney Gentry to a career of playing soccer which has brought her from the Dallas suburb of Rockwall to Northeastern State University where she is a junior and plays midfield for the RiverHawks. Playing in the actual games is exciting and can be rewarding as Whitney discovered this year when she made second team All-MIAA. But for her it’s forging bonds of friendship that are a highlight.

“One of the things I like best is meeting all the new girls during preseason and bonding with them through the three-a-day practices we often have.”

Whitney, who someday would like to be a veterinarian, has a difficult major-integrative organismic biology-which requires a lot of study time and that’s sometimes hard to do given the travel demands during the soccer season. But Whitney says the faculty at NSU helps with that.

“I have amazing professors and an amazing advisor, and they work around our soccer schedule as much as they can to help us out.”

Coming from a big town like Dallas, which provides endless possibilities for post-high school education, Whitney is glad she made the trip north to Tahlequah.

“I come from a big city and one of the things that appealed to me was the smaller school where the professors know your name and you’re not just another face in a huge classroom. Tahlequah and NSU are just a great community. Everyone is so nice and welcoming, and I’ve never been around a town like this where everyone seems to want to get to know you.”

Growing up Whitney says one of her favorite soccer players has always been Alex Morgan of the US Women’s National team.

“She’s just a great symbol of women’s soccer and has helped us gain world attention in soccer.”

She has been a roommate with fellow midfielder Lauren Parton from Tulsa and values the bond they have created.

“Lauren can come off as quiet and introverted but once you get to know her, she is like an open book and is an amazing friend and roommate and a good listener if you have a problem.”

In her spare time Whitney says she likes to go on runs with her dog and hang with her teammates.

Why choose NSU? Just listen to the heartfelt thoughts of Whitney Gentry.

“It’s my home away from home. You can come here and achieve your dreams and at the same time make friends for life.”

Photo Courtesy Karen Penner – NSU Sports Media